Radio receiving system



Dec. '7 1926. 1,609,805

w. N. FANNING ,RADI'O RECEIVING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 23, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 WITNESS INVENTOR 4 i M441. me N fi /w/xva.

MGJaW 3 ATTORNEYS Dec. 7 1926. 1,609,805

w. N. FANNING RADIO RECEIVING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 25, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 WITNESS INVENTOR 14444 75,? N Hwv/A/a. 7 4 BY A TTORNE YS Patented Dec. 7, 1926.

XVALTER N. FANNING, OF VALLEJO, CALIFORNIA.

RADIO RECEIVING SYSTEM.

Application filed January 23, 1922. Serial No. 531,121.

My invention relates to a system for receiving radio telegraphy signals and more particularly for relaying received signals to a distant point where it may be recorded or again transmitted, as desired. A relay to transmit the received telegraphic signals must have suilicient strength to operate a mechanical device at a fairly rapid rate, comparable with the rate of signaling. In telegraph systems receiving radio signals, these signals as received are entirely unsuitable for the operation of an electro-mechanical relay. Such relays are operated by an electric current which usually produces a magnetoinotive force suiiicient to attract an armature when a signal is received. Reays of this type may be made to operate :pon a. comparatively small variation of be current flowing through its windings, "or example, the normal current flow when signal is received may be milli-amperes, which would be insufiicient to attract the armature, while the current flow when a signal is received may have, say, an effective value of inilliamperes, although pulsatory, sufficient to attract the armature. Upon a reduction of the current to the normal value of 20 milliamperes, the armature would be released. One of the objects of my invention is, therefore, to make it possible to operate a relay in the manner outlined, in a radio receiving system.

I one form of my invention which I shall describe in detail hereinafter, the relay circuits are so arranged that energy is obtained both from the compensating wave and the tele raphic wave to operate the mechanical deiCQ. It therefore possible to obtain much stronger and more positive signals with the same signaling power.

My invention may also be used for the elimination of static or other interferences. Tiese interferences may, for example, be due to the use of aspark set for transmission since it is well known that such a set transmit besides its own frequency, a great many other frecniencies which tend to confuse the signals.

My invention possesses other advantageous features. some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth at length in the following specification wnere I shall outline in full those forms of the invention which I have selected for illustration in the drawings'accompanying and forming part of the present specification. In the drawings lhave shown several embodiments of my invent'ion, but it is to 'beuiiderstood that I do not limit myself to these forms, since the invention, as expressed inthe claims, may be embodied in other forms as well.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1' shows a systei'n embodying my invention for relaying a telegraphic signal by aid of a 3-electrode tube; I

Fig. 2 shows a modification of the system lli'WlllCll static or other disturbances are eliminated and in which increased power may be obtained due to the use of the energy of the compensating wave; and

Fig. 3 is a modification of the shown in Fi is utilized. 7

When signals are radiated at telegraphic speed over space and received in an antenna system 11, such as shown in Fig. 1, the received energy is usually extremely small- I utilize the received signal to cause actuation of an electro-magnetic relay 9 having an armature 14L, so as to make and break contacts between conductor 17 and either of the conductors 15 and 16. These three conductors may lead to an appropriate recording device or to any other form of signal receiver, or may be used to conduct the signal to a transmitting station to be transmitted. The relay 9 is in series witha source of direct current 10, such as a battery, and I make the variations in the current flow through this battery large enough to enable the relay to attract and drop its armature 141. This effect I am able to secure by the use of a'plurality of three-electrode rectifying tubes 18, 19, 20 and 21. These tubes are preferably of the audion type, and by connecting them as shown in Fig. 1, the direct current flowing through thebattery 10 may be made to vary by a large enough amount so as to operate the relay. By connecting the tubes as shown, the minute pulsations produced by the signal are caused to produce larger and larger pulsations in the plate circuits of the successive tubes. The effect of the signal current is immediately system 2, in which a vibratory relay felt on the relay. and it has been found nossible to operate'this relay at the speed necessary to take the incoming signals. The signaling current itself is caused to flow in a tuned circuitconsisting of the coil 12 coupled to the antennacircuit, and the adjustable condenser 13. Any other well known receiving circuit may however, be used.

27 and 32.

The importance of making the relay alosolutely reliable can be better appreciated when it is realized that such relays form the connecting link in repeater systems; that is, systems in which a received signal is transmitted, for example, through conductors such as 15, 16 and 17 of Fig. 1 to a comparatively distant radio transmitting system and there again transmitted.

In systems where a compensating wave which transmits energy even while no signal is transmitted, is used, it is obviously an advantage to be able to use this con1- pensating wavev as well as the signaling wave for increasing the power of the signal. This increase in power, of course, is of great utility for relay systems, described herein before. One form in which the compensating wave may be made to ass st the signaling wave in the operation of a mechanical relay is shown in Fig. 2. In this figure I have not shown any amplifying means separate from the rectifying means, but it is to be understood, of course, that the signals may be properly magnified in case it is found 'desirable. The antenna circuit 11 is shown in this instance as inductively coupled to two systems labeled respectively T and C. These two systems are substantially similar, the system T being adapted to receive. the telegraphic signals, and the system C being adapted to receive the compensating wave between signals. Since these two systems are similar, it will be sufficient to describe but one of them. The system T comprises a pair of 3-electrode tubes or audions 2223 arranged to rectify both half waves of the received signal. For this purpose, there is interposed between the tubes 22 and 23 and the antenna circuit 11, a transformer 24, the primary of which consists of two coils in parallel. The secondary coils 25 and 26are joined together at the point 27 and their free extremities are connected to the grid elements 28 and 29 of the tubes 22 and 23. The filaments 30 and 31 are adapted to be heated in any well known manner, not. shown, and are connected together at the point 32. A battery 33 is connected between the points It is thus seen that the input circuit of each tube 22 or 23 comprises the battery 33, one of the coils 25 or 26, a filament, and a grid. The plates 34 and 35 are likewise connected together and between the points 36 and 32 is connected the output circuit of the system T. This output circuit includes the battery 3'? and the wires 38 and 39. It is believed that the operation of this system to rectify the signal is apparent. By properly tuning the receiver circuit system, as by manipulation of an inductively coupled coil 40 and the variable condenser 41, this system may be made sensitive to the telegraphic signals.

l The system C has elements substantially similar to the system T, its receiving elements consisting of the coil 42 and condenser 43 tuned to be sensitive to the compensating wave between signals. The wires 43 and 44 leading from system C correspond with the wires 33 and 39 of the system T.

A. relay 45 is so connected to both of the systems T and C that while no signal is re ceived, a pivoted armature 46 is held against the right hand pole piece 4'? of the relay core. Upon the receipt of signal this armature 46 is not only repelled from the pole 47, but it is extracted to the left hand pole 48. V hen the signal ceases, there is a repulsion between the left hand pole piece 48 and the armature 46 and it returns to its former position against the pole piece 47. To obtain this result the armature 46 is polarized; that is, it consists of either a permanent magnet or an electromagnet having its free end either a north or south pole. In the present instance, it is shown a south pole. The output circuit of the compensating wave system C is connected in series with two coils 51 and 52 which are conveniently disposed on the opposite legs of the relay core, the direction of magnetization produced by these coils being, for example, that shown by the arrows 49 and 50. It is evi dent that while no signals are being received the coils 51 and 52 are energized from the system C and produce a north pole at 47 and a south pole at 43. The result, of course, is that the south pole of the pivoted armature 46 is attracted to the north pole 47 and connection is made between the 53 and the wire 54. As soon as a signal is received, however, the coils 51 and 52 become inactive and nstead the coils and 56 receive appreciable energ from the system T. The change from a substantially lilactive state to an active one is controlled by the effect of signals on the grids 28 and 29 of the thermionic device 22 and 23. The provision of battery 33 assists in bringing the plate current substantially o zero when signaling ceases. An analogous condition exists for the system C, where the cessation of the compensating wave renders coils 5i and 52 substantially inactive.

Coils and 56 are arranged, when the are active in response to the reception of a signal, to produce a magnetization in adirection opposite to that produced by the coils 51 and 52. The result is that poles 4'? and 48 change their polarity, and the armature 46 swings to the left while this signal is being received and contact is made between wires 54 and 57. The systems T and C are so proportioned that the magnetizing effects of the coils 51 and 52 are substantial ly equal to the magnetizing effects of the coils 55 and 56. The energy received from the compensating waves in system C is useful in moving the armature 46 back to its position when no signal is received. In this way, a stronger movement of armature is obtained. Another great advantage 0t this system is that many interfering eflects .such as static or the like which are present both in the compensating waves and in the telegraphic waves, produce no effect wl1atsoeyer on the position of the armature 46, since the coils are differentially connected as regards these disturbances. lVhile I have shown in this figure a scheme for rectifying both of the half waves of the signaling wave and the con'ipensating wave, it is of course evident that it would be possible to use only one-half of the wave in each case.

The system shown in Fig. 2 may, however, be used equally as well when uni-wave signals are received; that is, when there is no compensating wave filling in the gaps between the signaling waves. Under such circumstances, the system Cis tuned to be sensitive to a frequency only sufficiently diiferent from the frequency of the signal waves that it cannot receive any appreciable signaling energy. The energy received by the system C would then depend upom the interfering waves, and since these interfering waves would have sr-zbstantially the same effect on the. systems T and C, they would be canceled out by the differential connections of coils 51, 52, and 55, 56. The arr ature 46 would not be affected in any way by these disturbances.

l l hile it is possible as described in connection with Fig. 2 to increase the strength of: the signal greatly by using a polarized clay, another arrangement is il ustrated in Fir. 3, where the energy to operate the sig relay is obtained from an external source In this figure, apolarized relay 58 is shown, having the same general mechanical construction as that shown in Fig. 2. A movable polarized armature 59 is arranged so to complete the circuit for the main relay 65. which controls the flow of current in co ..uctors T l, and 76, in the ell known manner. The diiferential relay is provided with energizing coil C and T connected so to act differentially upon the core of the relay 58, and to be supplied with energy respectively from systems such as C and T of T 2. The core carries in addition, however, a pair of coils 61 and 62, which are connected as to cause the armature 59 to Vibrate between the poles of the core while neither of. the sets of coils G or T are active. This is accon'iplished by the aid of the connections shown.

Assume for example that the armature 59 is in the right hand position. momentarily. The circuitfor coil 62 includes the connection point 68, an armature 35), contact 64, right hand half of battery 63, relay coil 65, connection point 67 and ad'ustable condenser ?9. While the condenser 79 i being charged, a current flows in this dn'ectlon tending to produce in the direction of arrow 70.

The result is that a north pole N is formed on the right and adjustable resistance 77. to the lar e self-induction of this circ however.

b v I the current does not rise to its rull value until after the condenser '79 is fully charged. stopping current flow 111 (301i The in netomotive force of coilGl is in the direct -n shown by the arrow and produces a north pole N on the left hand pole piece [8. Since at this stage the current throu h coil 62 lf-L interrupted by the fully charged condenser 79, there is no longer any Pole f d On the right hand pole piece 71, ..nd the res is that the left hand pole piece '78 is to attract the armature and inter? )t circuit for both coils. As soon this oc curs, the condenser 79, having no impressed counter E. M. R, discharges through coil 61 and resistance 7?, producing a current flow in the same direction, as

l tore in tilt coil 61. but in the reverse dirccnon in coil 62 as shown by the dotted arrow This produces a south pole at the right hand pole tip 71, which assists in repelling the armature 59 to the left, while at the same time a north pole is formed at the left hand pole piece 7 8 which urges the armature 59 likewise to the left. However, as soon as the extreme left hand position of armature is reached as indicated by the dotted line 72, the current flow is reversed in the coil 61. and a magnetomotive force is gradua built up through resistance ?".7 in the direction shown by the dotted line arrow 81. This produces a south pole at the lefthzuul pole tip 78, tending to repel. the armature 59. At the same time the condenser '79 has been rapidly charged in a reverse d and during the charging period a F motive force in the direction of dotttd iron; is produced. tending to keep armature to the left. However, before the current through coil 61 builds up entiruy, the condenser becomes fully charged and the cur rent flow through coil is interrupted. When this occurs, armati'ire 59 is repelled to the right, and the circuit at contact 73 interrupted. The condenser 79 can discharge through coils 61 and 62, a discharging current is in such a as to cause the armature 59 to b l. vcd to ward the right. When contact at a completed, the cycle of operations is )eated.

It is evident thatby a proper choice of the capacity at 79 and the resistance at 77 the period of vibration of armature 59 may ltit) llS be easily controlled. Furthermore, the circuit through relay coil 65 is made and broken once for each oscillation, and the alternate making and breaking would continue indefinitely. V

'lhe coils C and T, connected to the receiving antenna system, control the vibration the armature. Thus, while coils 'E are active, a south pole is formed at the right hand pole piece 71 and a north pole at the left hand pole piece. lhe magnetomotive force of these coils is made large enough to overcome the magnetomotive forces or" coils 61 and The result is that t .e armature 5?; is repelled from the pole piece 71 and attracted to the pole piece 1 8, and it is held in this position while the coils T are active. Similar eli'ects are produced when coils G are active, except that in this case the armature is caused to be attracted to the right hand pole piece 71 ard to remain there while these coils remain active.

The period of vibration of the armature c be made about equal to the eriod of the telegraphic signals when dots are received. In this may the telegraphic signals for dots may be very weak, as the local source. of energy supplies the required powor for moving the armature. lhis is especially usetul where the coils C are energized not by a compensation wave but rather from a system slightly detuned from the frequency of the signal waves. In this way the effect 01" disturbing influences on the movement of armature 59, such as those due 0 static, ma also be eliminated.

While the systems shown are adapted to operate on radio rrequency current, it is of course possible by proper design of the recernng apparatus, to utilize energy at audio frequency produced by the beat note eit'ect.

1 claim 1. in a system for receiving signals and relaying signals at telegraphic speed, a receiving circuit, an electronic devicehaving an electron emitting electrode, a control eltctrode and an anode, means for connectthe receiving circuit to theelectron emitting electrode andcontrol electrode, an ciectrdmagnetic' relay including an armature and means connected between the relay and electronic device whereby the armature is actuated by the signals and means for imparting oscillatory movement to the ar mat re whereby the latter is sensitized.

i a radio system for receiving and resignals at telegraphic speed, an abcircuit, an electronic device having electron emitting electrode, a control electrode and an anode, means whereby'the con ol electrode is affected by signals received in the absorbing circuit, an electromagnetic relay, an operating circuit for the relay connected to the electronic device, and means for causing'the operating circuit to be active only during the reception of signaling impulses and means for energizing the relay between signaling impulses.

3. In radio receiving system, an absorbing circuit, a circuit coupled to the absorbing circuit and arranged to be sensitive to waves of signaling frequency, a second circuit arranged to be suppli d with energy from the absorbing circuit, a coil for each of the two latter circuits, means for opposing the magnetomotive forces produced by the two coils, an armature operated in accordance with the resultant magnetometive force, and contacts controlled by th armature.

at. In a radio receiving system, an absorbing circuit, a circuit coupled to the absorbing circuit and arranged to be sensitive to ves of signaling frequency, a second circm the absorbing circuit, and an electrdmagnetic relay having a movable armature the two latter circuits being arranged to assist in the operation of the relay to move the armature in both directions. 7.

5. in a radio, receiving system, a relay having a polarized armature, and means for differentially energizing the relay in accordance with the signals and in accordance with substantially all they non-signaling er; ergy receiver the system.

P operating in such manner that compensating waves are transmitting between signaling impulses, means for rectifying the en ergy received during signaling, means for rectifying the compensating wave energy, and an electromagnet having a polarized armature energized dillerentially from both means.

7. in a radio signaling system, an absorbing circuit, a circuit adapted to receive the signaling energy, a circuit adapted to receive substantially all of the energy received by the absorbing circuit between signals, and a relay having an armature utilizing both these forms oi": energy for moving the armature.

V 8. In radio signaling system, an absorbing circuit, a circuit adapted to receive the signaling energy, a circuit adapted to receive substantially all of the non-signaling energy received by the absorbing circuit, and magnetic means including a polarized armature energized diii'erentially from both circuits whereby the signaling energy and non-signaling energ are opposed.

9. In a radio signaling system, a tube cilcuit arranged to rectify the current due to signaling, a tube circuit. arranged to rectify the current due to substantially all of the non-signaling energy received by the system, and magnetic means for opposing the efiects of the two currents. 7

10. In a radio signaling syst-em,'a tube cirarran ed to be en plied with ene 'v o. In a radio telegraph receiving system,

cuit arranged to rectify the current due to the received signal waves, a tube circuit arranged to rectify the current due to substantially all of the non-signaling energy received by the system, and a relay differentially wound in accordance with the rectified currents.

11. In a radio signaling system, a tube circuit arranged to rectify the current due to the received signal waves, a tube circuit arranged to rectify the current due to substantially all of the non-signaling energy received by the system, and a relay having a polarized armature differentially wound in accordance with the rectified currents.

12. In a radio signaling system, a relay having an armature, local means for causing the armature to oscillate continuously be tween two positions, and a receiving circuit controlling the operation of said means.

13. In a radio signaling system, a relay having an armature, means for causing the armature to oscillate continuously between two positions, a circuit energized in accordance with the received signals, a circuit energized in accordance with the energy re ceived bet-ween signals, and coils wound differentially on the relay energized respectively from the two circuits.

14. In a radio signaling system, a relay having a polarized armature, means for en ergizing the relay differentially with respect to the energy received during signaling and between signals. and means tending to cause continuous oscillation of the armature.

15. In a radio signaling system, a tube circuit arranged to rectify the current due to the received signal waves, a tube circuit arranged to rectify current due to energy received between signals, a relay having an armature, means tending to cause continuous oscillation of the armature and coils differentially wound on the relay energized respectively from the two rectifying circuits.

16. In av radio receiving system, a relay comprising an armature, contacts controlled by the armature, and means for differentially energizing the relay in accordance with different wave length energy received by the system, whereby static or any other impulse interference may be eliminated.

17. In a radio receiving system, a relay comprising an armature, contacts controlled by the armature, and means for differentially energizing the relay in accordance with signaling energy and with energy from a wave frequency in the vicinity of the signaling energy wave frequency, whereby static or other impulse interferences may be eliminated.

18. In a radio receiving system, pair of electronic devices each having a control electrode, an electron emitting electrode and an anode, means whereby one of the control electrodes is affected by the reception of signals, means whereby substantially all of the nonsignaling energy received by the system affects the other control electrode, a relay having differential coils connected respectively to the two thermionic devices, and means whereby the reception of signals changes that coil of the relay which is connected to the signal responsive electronic device from an inactive to an active state.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto se my hand.

WALTER N. FANNING. 

